And I'm Robert Siegel. For all the partisan debate over tax cuts, extending them, ending them, changing the code, it's been a while since Congress has actually passed a tax-related measure. But, today, the Senate narrowly approved a proposal from President Obama. It would extend the Bush era tax cuts on household income up to a quarter million dollars.

At the same time, a Republican plan to keep tax cuts in place for even the highest income levels was rejected. NPR's David Welna has the story.

SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL: We owe it to the American people to let them know whether we actually think it's a good idea to double down on the failed economic policies of the past few years or whether we support a new approach.

WELNA: But it was actually McConnell and his fellow Republicans who sought to double down on a tax policy that's been in place throughout the Obama Administration, an extension of all the Bush era tax cuts. Were that not to happen, Nebraska Republican Mike Johanns predicted dire consequences.

SENATOR CHRIS COONS: To reject a great tradition of a circle of protection of a prayerful reflection on those who are the neediest in our society and instead say we will extend (unintelligible) the tax rate breaks for the wealthiest Americans, I think, defies America's values.

SENATOR JOE LIEBERMAN: Sure, the people who are making the most should pay more in revenue, but I think we're at a point where we can't simply say to what we generally describe as the middle class, they don't have to give anything else.

WELNA: With Vice President Joe Biden on hand in case of a tie, the Democrats' plan passed 51 to 48. Florida's Bill Nelson voted for it, despite warning it was going nowhere in the Republican-controlled House.

SENATOR BILL NELSON: This isn't going to solve the problem. It's going to be more political posturing all the way up to the November election and then, in a lame duck session, we're going to get down to work.

WELNA: Which would prove yet again that Congress rarely gets anything done until it absolutely has to. David Welna, NPR News, the capital. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.